Justice News

Three Individuals Arrested And Charged For Drug-Related Murder In The Bronx

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today charges against three individuals, SEAN PETER, a/k/a “Huggie,” JASON CAMPBELL, a/k/a “Holiday,” a/k/a “Fish,” and STEVEN SYDER, a/k/a “Esteban,” in connection with the drug-related murder of 19-year-old Brian Gray in the Bronx on October 2, 2012. PETER, CAMPBELL, and SYDER were arrested today and will be presented before Magistrate Judge James C. Francis IV. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “The defendants are charged with shooting and killing a young man on the streets of the Bronx to further their alleged narcotics business. Drug-related violence threatens the safety and security of all New Yorkers, and we will continue to make our streets and neighborhoods safe. We commend our partners at the FBI and NYPD for the exemplary work that led to the charges brought today.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. stated: “Drug dealers use violence and intimidation to assert their dominance over others they see as potential rivals in their territory. That violence often results in someone being shot and killed, and the community more fearful that the violence won’t stop. The FBI/NYPD Violent Crimes Task Force works day after day to prevent these criminals from returning to the streets, and to stop the cycle of crime.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill stated: “I commend the efforts of the detectives and prosecutors whose hard work resulted in the arrest of three defendants, charged in this homicide. The NYPD will continue to target those who mar our communities with drugs and violence, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

In 2012, PETER, CAMPBELL, and SYDER conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. On October 2, 2012, PETER, CAMPBELL, and SYDER participated in the killing of Brian Gray by shooting him in furtherance of that marijuana distribution conspiracy. The murder took place in the vicinity of 3309 Barker Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

Count One charges PETER, CAMPBELL, and SYDER with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Count Two charges PETER, CAMPBELL, and SYDER with using a firearm to murder Gray in connection with the marijuana distribution conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of death, or life in prison.

Count Three charges PETER, CAMPBELL, and SYDER with brandishing and discharging a firearm in connection with the marijuana distribution conspiracy,which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court.

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PETER, 33, CAMPBELL, 30, and SYDER, 33, are all of the Bronx, New York.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI-NYPD Joint Bank Robbery/Violent Crimes Task Force. He also thanked the Teaneck, New Jersey, Police Department for all of their assistance and support in the ongoing investigation.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi, Michael Gerber, and Hadassa Waxman are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.